Wants apology on floor of the House for attack on Rohan Khaunte
TEAM HERALD
[email protected]
PANJIM: The Goa Assembly Monday castigated tourist taxi operators, for the attack on members of the House last week, demanded a breach of privilege motion, police action and an apology from them on the floor of the House.
The issue was raised by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte who was targeted on Saturday by an angry mob of around 300-400 taxi operators in Porvorim for his comments in the Assembly over the tourist taxi operator fleecing tourists in the State of Goa.
Members of the House cutting across party lines supported Khaunte’s concerns about an attack on the freedom of speech of the MLAs and sought strong action against the taxi operators.
While the Speaker of the Goa Assembly himself agreed that Saturday’s attack on Khaunte amounts to a breach of privilege, he asked the government to investigate the matter.
“The report will be placed before the Breach of Privilege committee,” said Rajendra Arlekar.
The chief minister Parrikar in his reply said that he has already asked the police to inquire into the matter and submit a report by Tuesday following which necessary action whatever deemed fit will be taken against the errant tourist taxi operators.
Parrikar said, “What happened is unacceptable and the freedom of speech of members of the House cannot be obstructed or curtailed.”
While Khaunte informed the House of the mob attack on him on Saturday, Vishnu Wagh said that he too was receiving threatening phone calls. He said that it was ridiculous for tourist taxi operators to demand for an apology from MLAs for what they spoke in the House and also joined in the chorus for strong action against the tourist taxi operators.
Opposition leader Pratapsing Rane demanded that the taxi operators be called in the House, and not only be warned but put behind bars as well.
He said, “There is a constitutional guarantee for legislators to express their views in the House and it cannot be challenged.” He condemned the taxi operators for taking law in their hands.
Earlier Khaunte said, “We should not have to face this … when we take up issues in the House.”
He said that all he was demanding for was introduction of taxi meters and issues which were in the interest of the State and tourism.
The tourism minister said that the taxi operators also planned to gherao him. He said that they had submitted a memorandum to the tourism ministry and placed the same in the House Monday.
